The Official Unofficial Fan Page

Pitbull

MR. WORLDWIDE  ·  MR. 305  ·  EL ALCALDE

Grammy Winner Miami Born Cuban-American Global Icon Philanthropist
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Who Is He?

Armando Christian Pérez

Pitbull performing in 2012 — photo via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 2.0 / Eva Rinaldi
11 Studio Albums
100M+ Records Sold
305 Miami Code

Armando Christian Pérez, universally known as Pitbull, was born on January 15, 1981, in Miami, Florida, to Cuban exile parents. Growing up in the Little Havana and Liberty City neighborhoods of Miami, he absorbed a fusion of hip-hop, salsa, and Miami bass that would define his sound for decades.

He rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his signature style of blending English and Spanish lyrics — a reflection of his bicultural identity. His debut album M.I.A.M.I. (2004) put him on the map, and by the early 2010s he had become one of the best-selling music artists on the planet.

"I come from a place where every day was a struggle — the streets of Miami. But I used that fire and turned it into fuel."
— Pitbull

The moniker Mr. Worldwide captures his global reach perfectly — he has performed on every continent, sung in multiple languages, and collaborated with artists spanning pop, reggaeton, EDM, and Latin music. His other nickname, Mr. 305, pays homage to Miami's area code and his undying loyalty to his hometown.

Beyond the music, Pitbull is a committed entrepreneur and philanthropist, running a charter school network and speaking at the Harvard Business School, among many other ventures. He holds honorary doctorates and has been honored by multiple civic organizations.

Did You Know?

Fast Facts

🎤

Stage Name Origin

He chose "Pitbull" because, like the dog, he latches on and never lets go — a metaphor for relentless ambition.

🌍

Mr. Worldwide

He earned this title after performing in dozens of countries and recording hit songs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and more.

📍

Mr. 305

305 is Miami's area code. Pitbull wears this badge proudly — a love letter to the city that shaped him.

🎓

Harvard Guest Speaker

In 2015, Pitbull spoke to Harvard Business School students about entrepreneurship and building a global brand.

🏫

Sports Leadership Schools

He co-founded a network of tuition-free public charter schools in Miami and beyond, focusing on STEM and college readiness.

🇨🇺

Cuban Heritage

Born to Cuban exile parents, his music blends hip-hop with Cuban rhythms — a cultural fusion he calls his "secret weapon."

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Film Appearances

Beyond music, Pitbull has appeared in films including the Machete Kills franchise and voiced a character in The Penguins of Madagascar.

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Hurricane Relief

After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, Pitbull chartered his private jet to transport cancer patients to the mainland for treatment.

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Voli 305 Vodka

He co-owns Voli 305 Vodka, a lower-calorie vodka brand named after — you guessed it — Miami's iconic area code.

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Grammy Winner

His Latin Grammy and Billboard Music Award wins are too numerous to count. He is one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time.

🎉

New Year's Eve Staple

Pitbull has become a recurring headliner for major New Year's Eve celebrations and live broadcast events across the globe.

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Kodiak, Alaska

In 2012, internet pranksters voted to send him to a remote Walmart in Kodiak, Alaska. He showed up, took a selfie, and donated books to local schools. Dale.

Dale!

Cuban slang for "Go for it!" — Pitbull's eternal battle cry

Studio Albums

Discography

🎵
M.I.A.M.I.
2004
🎵
El Mariel
2006
🎵
The Boatlift
2007
🎵
Rebelution
2009
🎵
Armando
2010
🌟
Planet Pit
2011
🌟
Global Warming
2012
🌟
Meltdown
2013
🎵
Feel This Moment
2014
🎵
Dale
2015
🎵
Climate Change
2017

Essential Listening

Biggest Hits

Internet Legend

The Kodiak, Alaska Story

🐧❄️🎤

The Prank That Became a W

In 2012, Walmart and energy drink company Sheets ran a promotion offering a free concert to the Walmart store with the most online votes. Internet pranksters — led by writer David Thorpe — organized a campaign to vote for the most remote Walmart in the United States: a store in Kodiak, Alaska, population ~6,000, accessible only by plane or ferry.


Most artists would have quietly backed out. Pitbull showed up. He flew to Kodiak, performed for the local community, took photos with fans in the frozen parking lot, and — in a move that cemented his legendary status — brought David Thorpe (the prankster) along as his guest. He donated books to local schools and turned an internet joke into a genuine act of joy. That, in a nutshell, is why the world loves Pitbull.

Beyond The Music

Philanthropy & Legacy

Sports Leadership Schools

Pitbull co-founded a network of tuition-free public charter schools in Miami, Texas, and Tennessee, focused on education, athletics, and college preparation for underserved communities.

Hurricane Maria Relief

In September 2017, after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Pitbull personally chartered his private jet to airlift cancer patients to Florida for continued medical treatment when hospitals lost power.

COVID-19 Efforts

During the pandemic, Pitbull converted his Sports Leadership schools into COVID-19 testing sites and food distribution centers for Miami families in need.

Harvard & Education

He has spoken at Harvard Business School and multiple universities, sharing his philosophy that education is the great equalizer — a message born from his own humble origins.

Honorary Doctorates

Pitbull has received honorary degrees for his contributions to music, entrepreneurship, and community service, a remarkable achievement for someone who hustled his way from the streets of Miami.

Latin Music Trailblazer

His mainstream crossover success opened doors for Latin artists globally, pioneering a template for bilingual pop that artists like J Balvin, Bad Bunny, and others have built upon.

Career Milestones

Timeline

1981
Born in Miami, Florida
Armando Christian Pérez is born to Cuban exile parents in Miami, FL. Raised in Little Havana and Liberty City.
Early 2000s
Miami Underground Buzz
Pitbull builds a reputation in Miami's underground hip-hop and Miami bass scenes, catching the attention of Lil Jon and Luther Campbell.
2004
Debut Album: M.I.A.M.I.
Signed to TVT Records via Lil Jon, his debut album establishes his raw, bilingual style. The title stands for "Money Is A Major Issue."
2006–2009
Building the Brand
Releases El Mariel, The Boatlift, and Rebelution, steadily growing his fanbase and honing the global sound he would perfect in the next decade.
2011
Planet Pit — Global Explosion
"Give Me Everything" hits #1 in the US and UK. Pitbull becomes the face of mainstream pop radio worldwide. Mr. Worldwide is fully born.
2012
The Kodiak Moment
Internet pranksters vote to send him to a remote Walmart in Kodiak, Alaska. He shows up, performs, and brings the prankster as his guest. Legend cemented.
2013
"Timber" — Another #1
The smash hit with Ke$ha spends weeks at #1 globally, solidifying Pitbull as one of the most commercially successful artists on Earth.
2015
Harvard Business School
Pitbull speaks at Harvard on entrepreneurship, branding, and resilience — proof that the kid from Little Havana had become a global business icon.
2017
Puerto Rico Relief
After Hurricane Maria, Pitbull charters his private jet to evacuate cancer patients from Puerto Rico to Florida. True compassion in action.
2020s
Continuing the Legacy
Ongoing music, school expansions, philanthropy, and a permanent place in the pantheon of global pop. Dale.